Are you part of The Tyee's critical 1%?

Thanks for reading The Tyee today — we hope this article added to your day in some way. Our team of independent journalists takes pride in doing in-depth reporting and taking time to get it right.

We're able to focus our attention on publishing impactful journalism in the public interest, and publish it for free for all to read, because we have the support of Tyee Builders. Tyee Builders are readers who contribute a bit of money — at a level and frequency of their choice — to support our editorial budget.

This core of supporters — making up about 1 to 2 per cent of our daily readership — enables us to pay our writers, keep our articles free and open to all, and not bombard our readers with annoying ads while you try to read.

Instead of focusing on what kind of articles will attract the most advertising dollars, we can spend time devoted to researching and writing stories that our readers find most valuable and make the most positive impact in our region.

If you'd like to join thousands of readers who help make independent journalism possible, consider joining Tyee Builders. Thank you.

— Jeanette Ageson, Publisher

Click here to Join Tyee Builders

Help us un-break journalism in Canada

You made it all the way through the article – I hope that means you liked it (or if not ‘liked’ it, gleaned some useful information from it). Tyee articles are known for being quite lengthy, so we appreciate when people spend some quality time with our work.

Listen, I’ll get to the point – the article you just read was made possible because our non-profit newsroom was able to pay a talented journalist to research and write it. And we can only afford to do that because of our business model, which relies on a certain percentage of our readers signing up for our paid membership program called Tyee Builders.

The traditional business model for journalism in Canada has been completely disrupted, and we’re witnessing a slow collapse as corporate newsrooms buy up distressed publications, lay people off, and suck the value out of them before declaring bankruptcy. And it doesn’t help that tech giant Meta has blocked Canadian news on their Facebook and Instagram platforms.

There is another way and we are carving the path.

Between 1 to 2 per cent of people who visit The Tyee contribute financially, but amazingly, that small percentage is enough to fund half of our overall budget. And it means we can operate without a paywall, too. 1 per cent of people giving means 99 per cent of people get access to quality, fact-based journalism from a talented team of journalists who live and work in B.C., Alberta, and across Canada. We think that’s pretty remarkable.

If you’re concerned about the way journalism is heading in Canada and you’d like to do something about it, consider joining Tyee Builders and contributing an amount that works for you.

— Jeanette Ageson, Publisher

Click here to Join Tyee Builders
Marking 20 years
of bold journalism,
reader supported.
support us subscribe free
Events, contests and other initiatives by The Tyee and select partners.

In Stressful Vancouver, Are You Feelin’ Groovy or Moovy?

At tonight’s Capilano U. event, join in making a ManifestSlow. We’ve got a song and book already!

David Beers 18 Oct 2018TheTyee.ca

David Beers is founding editor of The Tyee.
Simon-Garfunkle.png
Simon (right) and Garfunkel wishing they’d made the morning last. Kick down the cobblestones to Capilano University tonight for a Tyee-sponsored event on how we can take the strain out of city life. Source: Wikimedia Creative Commons.

I invited ideas to make Vancouver (and its urban region) slower, and people were quick to respond. One even wrote new lyrics for a Simon and Garfunkel classic (which we’ll get to below). Others posted great comments after the piece I published earlier this week explaining why Vancouver might want to join a global “Slow City” movement.

I proposed that a lot of what makes Vancouver feel too fast is the stress of barely affording housing, running from gig to gig, and seeing neighbourhoods transformed in ways that seem out of control for inhabitants.

How do we rejigger that giant hamster wheel? Start by helping write a ManifestSlow tonight at the event I’ll be hosting tonight at Capilano University entitled: “Make Vancouver the Slowest City!”

I am happy to confirm that tickets are still available. Just click here.

Panelists who will lend their ideas to our ManifestSlow include:

Melody Ma, tech worker and neighbourhood advocate
Mitchell Reardon, Happy City researcher
Meeru Dhalwala, co-founder of Vij’s restaurant, author and development expert

After I plugged the event in these pages, I received in the mail the delightful book Hail to the Snail written by former teacher Sandra Bruneau and illustrated by Sakshi Mangal. Officially for kids, its wisdom is directly applicable to how we design our cities, economies, lives.

582px version of IMAGE1-713QNTj6rAL.jpg

As the accompanying note from Tellwell Publishing in Victoria, B.C. put it: “Do you yearn for a life that is slower — one that allows you to do your own thing — to work and play at your own pace? Snails have so much to teach us! They work hard and are active in their communities, but on their own time. We can all take a page from the snail’s playbook: just enjoy who we are and what we do. We can find new peace in our own spaces.”

I also received new lyrics to be sung aloud to the tune of “Feelin’ Groovy,” crafted by Scot Hein, who happens to be a brilliant urban planner and contributor to The Tyee’s pages. Here, as promised:

Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make land assets last
Just tearin’ down those rental homes
Can't find a place and ready to moovy;

Hello west coast, more chai flowin’
I cannot watch your towers growin’
Ain’t the zonin’ a crime for thee?
Loot-in’ doo-doo, ready to moovy;

Got no deeds, no mortgages to bear
We’re trampled and tired and really don’t care
Stop the market demands on me
Strife in housing, ready to moovy.

Sensing the mood will be loose and creative for tonight’s event? Fast on the uptake, you are. Hope to see you tonight. Details here.

And if you need a reminder about the tune to “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy),” just click here and give it a listen. [Tyee]

Read more: Music

This article is part of a Tyee Presents initiative. Tyee Presents is the special sponsored content section within The Tyee where we highlight contests, events and other initiatives that are either put on by us or by our select partners. The Tyee does not and cannot vouch for or endorse products advertised on The Tyee. We choose our partners carefully and consciously, to fit with The Tyee’s reputation as B.C.’s Home for News, Culture and Solutions. Learn more about Tyee Presents here.

  • Share:

Facts matter. Get The Tyee's in-depth journalism delivered to your inbox for free

Tyee Commenting Guidelines

Comments that violate guidelines risk being deleted, and violations may result in a temporary or permanent user ban. Maintain the spirit of good conversation to stay in the discussion.
*Please note The Tyee is not a forum for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, denying its existence or minimizing its risk to public health.

Do:

  • Be thoughtful about how your words may affect the communities you are addressing. Language matters
  • Challenge arguments, not commenters
  • Flag trolls and guideline violations
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity, learn from differences of opinion
  • Verify facts, debunk rumours, point out logical fallacies
  • Add context and background
  • Note typos and reporting blind spots
  • Stay on topic

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist, homophobic or transphobic language
  • Ridicule, misgender, bully, threaten, name call, troll or wish harm on others
  • Personally attack authors or contributors
  • Spread misinformation or perpetuate conspiracies
  • Libel, defame or publish falsehoods
  • Attempt to guess other commenters’ real-life identities
  • Post links without providing context

LATEST STORIES

The Barometer

Are You Concerned about AI?

Take this week's poll